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Ben Wilmot has signed a new three-year contract as he closes in on 200 appearances for Stoke City. Stoke had previously triggered a 12-month extension for the 26-year-old defender to make sure he stayed for this season. Now Wilmot, who has passed on the captain's armband to Viktor Johansson this summer, has agreed a new deal that will keep him at the bet365 Stadium until 2029. It also includes a club option for a further season. Wilmot joined Stoke from Watford in 2021 and will line up against his old side Swansea on the first day of the Championship season at home tomorrow (3pm). He is convinced he can be part of better times ahead. He said: “I've seen how much the club has changed over the last year. It's heading in the right direction. We've brought in some good people over the summer, both players and members of staff, who've changed the place for the better. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel “This club is waiting for us to perform on the pitch. It's got everything; the building, the infrastructure. I think we're in a good position now. Hopefully we can turn that into good results on the pitch and get this club back to where it belongs.” Wilmot has made 188 appearances for Stoke so far and could reach his two-century milestone in the next couple of months. He is expected to fill in at right-back this weekend and will compete with Bosun Lawal and Luke Graham to be top of the pecking order at centre-half. Sporting director Jonathan Walters said: “It is clear from speaking to Ben and from seeing his drive and attitude that he is desperate to be successful at Stoke City. “Ben’s one of the longer serving players in the team and, as new players come in and the squad continues to develop, that continuity is important. “As we continue to improve the quality of the squad, securing Ben’s long-term future gives us more quality, competition and strength in depth in defence.” Mark Robins has seen Wilmot's game develop over the last 12 months since naming him captain and says the player has taken the decision to hand that honour to Johansson in his stride. He said: “Typical Ben. This isn’t something being taken away from him. The reason I gave him the armband was to give him some confidence in terms of his communication, which he’s taken on and you can see there’s a difference. “Viktor is a new, old captain because he’s captained us for a period before. He epitomises everything that is good. That isn’t a criticism of Ben by any stretch because I felt he did well in difficult circumstances last season. He captained us to a really good start, the best start for a long time in a Championship season. There were a lot of good elements there. “Viktor is vocal in the dressing room, vocal in team meetings and demonstrates by his behaviour the sort of characteristics you want from a captain of Stoke City.” How should Stoke line up vs Swansea? Click HERE to join the debate